She said: ‘I used to suffer with depression and anxiety, I still do get bouts and it drains your energy. You can barely lift your arms, but ‘cause I love boxing, I do get out to the gym.’

Rugby and mental health

And this week that topic popped up again when rugby player Hannah Tyrell spoke in Dublin about bulimia and how she found a way past that.

Struggling with mental health and talking about that is just emerging from the shadows in Ireland, but when confident, successful sports women like Hannah speak out it can have a huge impact.

Hannah plays a central role in the Irish national team. But it was only when I read her story in a book last year ‘Six Nations Two Stories’ that the full extent of her achievement became clear. Starting off playing Gaelic Football, playing for Dublin and then moving onto rugby – but all the while eating disorders behind the scenes.

Since then she’s become more prominent, and I think she makes a really powerful messenger. It sends a great signal to girls and boys that you can overcome your challenges, and take on a sport like rugby.

She said at the conference: ‘Sport and my teammates allowed me to leave behind all the stuff I was going through and just enjoy the couple of hours of peace from the negative thoughts in my head.

‘It gave me a break from the struggles I faced daily and just allowed me to enjoy myself and the sport itself.’

Hannah went onto say: ‘The biggest thing in overcoming my illness was to acknowledge it, acknowledge that I needed help and also that the want and desire had to come from me.

‘I had to learn to love myself and believe that I deserved to be happy and to lead a successful life.’

In many areas therefore, you can get social prescriptions, which is where you are prescribed something like a course of exercise sessions, or other beneficial activity, rather than medication. Very exciting development!

@Kai - sorry for the delay getting back to you! The comment slipped through. That is very, very interesting - what a great, practical idea. Over-reliance on medication is a huge problem in Ireland too, mental health advocates are constantly complaining that people simply aren't listened to, and medics in turn say they don't have time (staff shortages) to give mental health the indepth attention it needs - and so they prescribe Thanks for the links, very interesting! (and yes, I feel a blog-post coming on)